Vacation bible school

Parkdale Baptist Church will hold its annual vacation Bible school June 17-21, from 9:30 a.m. until noon. The program is for children going into kindergarten through sixth grades.

The theme this year is Colossal World Coaster and features Bible stories, music, games, crafts and fun.

Parkdale Baptist Church is located at 6310 Dee Highway. For more information call 541-352-6515.

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Vacation Bible School will be held the week of July 8-12 at Parkdale Community Church. A final VBS meeting is being held Thursday, June 13, from 7-8 p.m. for training, prayer and “theme” excitement downstairs in the Van Nuys room at Parkdale Community Church. Anyone who would like to help with VBS is welcome to attend.

This year Parkdale Community Church, Parkdale Church of the Nazarene and Pillar Bible Fellowship in Odell will present Gospel Light’s “SonWest Roundup,” where kids can have “a rip-roaring good time with Jesus!”

Instead of daytime classes, this year VBS will start with a family meal at 5 p.m., followed by classes from 5:30-8 p.m. each evening.

Kids in the community ages preschool through fifth-grade are welcome to attend and there will also a youth class taught for anyone of junior high and high school age.

Preregistration letters will be mailed out to the community in late June and everyone is encouraged to return them as soon as possible.

For more information on VBS contact Karen DeHart at 541-806-4662.

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The call to care for creation — to be stewards of the planet — is a call Riverside Community Church, United Church of Christ, is responding to this summer with its VBS curriculum, sponsored in part by Gorge Ecumenical Ministries.

“Renew” is an environmentally focused VBS program that inspires kids to grow in faith, have fun and change the world. This VBS format is action-oriented, with ideas for kids to learn how to be “green” at home, in the community and the world.

Molly Schwarz, who teaches Mary Ann Hall’s “Music for Children,” will be on hand every day to sing familiar songs with the children, such as “Oats and Beans and Barley Grow” and “This Little Light of Mine.” Master Gardener Gail Lyon will also contribute to the curriculum with composting techniques.

The program is based on the parable of the sower. Every day the kids will be exploring an environmental question, such as, “What do seeds need in order to grow?” along with a spiritual question, “What do I need in order to grow?”

This VBS is green right down to its roots — decorations are created from recycled materials and low-VOC paint is used.

And Columbia Riverkeeper will be featured every day as the kids learn and donate to this valuable environmental mission in our community. Columbia Riverkeeper is a nonprofit organization working to protect and restore the waters of the Columbia River and all life connected to it, from the headwaters to the Pacific Ocean.

“Renew” will be held at Riverside Church, 317 State St., Monday, July 8, through Friday, July 12, from 9 a.m. until noon. Registration is $10 for the week and includes healthy snacks. Grades K-5 are welcome, ages 5-11.

There are three ways to register: Call 541-386-1412 and request a registration form; visit www.riversideucc.com and look under “Nurture Your Children;” or drop by Riverside Community Church and pick up a registration form.

Extra donations are welcome, and scholarships are available.

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Do you have a vacation Bible school planned? Send details to Esther K. Smith at esmith@hoodrivernews.com or mail to P.O. Box 390, Hood River, OR 97031.